• Oncology Nursing Theory I 
• Oncology Nursing Theory II 

• Oncology Nursing Practicum I  
• Oncology Nursing Practicum II       

Credits:           3 Credits

Course Description:

            This subject focuses on principles and goals of cancer nursing, basic knowledge of cancer, epidemiology and incidence of cancer, carcinogenesis, pathology, classification, staging, and diagnostic investigations. Impacts of cancer on patients and families and the management of physical, psychosocial, spiritual and ethical problems of cancer patients are included. Additionally, nurses’ roles on health promotion, prevention and control of cancer are explored.

                The subject enables trainees to gain more knowledge in principles and basic knowledge of cancer, epidemiology, carcinogenesis, pathology, classification, staging, and diagnostic investigations of cancer. The analysis of changes in cancer patients and impacts is significant. Additionally, the integration of nurses’ roles on the health promotion and prevention and control of cancer is concerned.

Upon completion of this program, trainees will be able to:

1. Explore principles and goals of cancer nursing.
2. Analyze epidemiology, carcinogenesis, pathology, classification and staging of cancer.
3. Examine physiological, psychological, social, spiritual changes and ethical issues and their impacts on cancer patients and families.
4. Identify problems and nursing management for cancer patients through holistic approach.
5. Explore nurses’ roles on health promotion and cancer prevention and control in caring for cancer patients.

1. Lecture
2. Group discussion
3. Problem based/ case based learning
4. Field study

Evaluation Methods:

The grading system will comprise of nine scales: A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D

1. Principles and goals of cancer nursing
2. Basic knowledge of cancer disease
3. Diagnostic tests and staging systems in cancer
4. Epidemiology, pathology, terminology, classification, cytological studies and tumor markers
5. Prevention and control of cancer: screening and early detection
6. Nutrition support, and fluid and electrolyte management
7. Symptomatic management and supportive care
8. Psychological responses in of cancer patient and nursing management
9. Ethical issues and dilemmas in caring for cancer patients: Informed consent, disclosure of diagnosis, power of attorney, and DNR order

Credits:           3 Credits

Course Description:

            This subject focuses on common cancer diseases in Thailand, its treatments and nursing management regarding surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biotherapy. Oncologic emergencies, alternative treatments, counseling, and rehabilitation for cancer patients are included. With a holistic approach, the management of continuity of nursing care for cancer patients at the beginning stage through the end-of-life stage is described

                The subject enables trainees to explore cancer in specific organs and treatments of cancer in terms of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biotherapy. Understanding of oncologic emergencies, alternative treatments, counseling and rehabilitation for cancer patients is also required. With the purpose of promoting quality of life, the application of holistic approach in caring for cancer patients from the beginning to end-of-life stage is concerned.

            Upon completion of this program, trainees will be able to:

1. Explore types of cancer in specific organs and its treatments. 
2. Integrate treatments of cancer and nursing management regarding cancer surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biotherapy.
3. Explore oncologic emergencies, alternative treatments, counseling and rehabilitation for cancer patients.
4. Utilize a holistic approach and nursing research in caring for cancer patients from the beginning through end-of-life stages in response to the promotion of quality of life.
5. Discuss current trend and issues on cancer nursing.

Methods of Teaching:

1. Lecture
2. Group discussion
3. Seminar
4. Case based learning and concept mapping
5. Field study

Evaluation Methods:

The grading system will comprise of nine scales: A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D

Contents:

1. Cancer in specific organs—brain, head, neck, lung, breast, neurology, gynecology, urinary and male reproductive system, gastro-intestinal tracts, lymphatic and hematopoitic tissues, and bone tumor
2. Principles of cancer surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and biotherapy
3. Nursing management of patient receiving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and biotherapy
4. Oncologic emergencies and management
5. Counseling in cancer patients
6. Rehabilitation in cancer patients
7. Palliative/End-of-life care
8. Applications of the use of holistic approach and Orem’s theory of self-care model in oncology nursing
9. Seminars on current issues in cancer nursing as follows:

a. Thai wisdom and cancer
b. Why Thai people ignore about physical check-up for cancer
c. Causes of the delay in seeking for cancer treatments
d. Needs of cancer patients and families
e. Alternative therapies in cancer
f. Research in cancer

Credits:           3 Credits

            This practicum is concentrated on the use of nursing process and theory as a model to provide appropriate nursing care for cancer patients receiving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and biotherapy. A provision of psychological support for cancer patients and families is concerned.

                Trainees enable to develop nursing skills and critical thinking in providing effective nursing care in cancer patients receiving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biotherapy through the use of nursing process, advanced knowledge of cancer and diagnostic investigations, and to promote self-care for individual patients and families.

Upon completion of this practicum, trainees will be able to:

1. Provide nursing care for cancer patients while receiving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and biotherapy using holistic approach and nursing process.
2. Apply appropriate nursing care morally and ethically in response to the needs of cancer patients and families.
3. Provide efficient counseling for cancer patients and families.

1. Practice nursing care on the areas of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, rehabilitation and palliative units of cancer
2. Develop nursing care study using nursing theory and nursing process 1 case / patient / week
3. Conduct nursing rounds once a week
4. Conduct nursing care conference in area of interest once a week
5. Clinical teaching by oncologists/ oncology nurses will be held once a week for 8 weeks

Evaluation Methods:
A trainee’s grade will be determined by the achievement in the following areas:

The grading system will comprise of nine scales: A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D

Credits :           2 Credits

            This practicum is concentrated on the use of nursing process and theory as a model to provide appropriate nursing care for cancer patients with complicated problems. There are applications of theoretical oncology nursing, research results and advanced technologies and treatments in developing nursing care plan and interventions for cancer patients with complicated health problems.

                Trainees enable to develop effective nursing skills and critical thinking in providing care for cancer patients with complicated health problems with the use of nursing process, advanced knowledge of cancer and diagnostic investigations, and to promote self-care for individual patients and families.

1. Provide nursing care and interventions for cancer patients with complicated problems.
2. Explore community resources for cancer and referral system regarding the continuity of care.
3. Coordinate with multidisciplinary about treatment plans in response to the needs of cancer patient and families.
4. Promote self-care and provide health education for cancer patients.
5. Develop an innovative project to improve nursing interventions for cancer patients.

1. Practice on the areas of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, rehabilitation and palliative units of cancer
2. Study visit in special units—nutrition, ostomy care, rehabilitation, counseling, pain clinic, and home care
3. Provide health education
4. Develop a project on cancer nursing
5. Develop nursing care study using nursing theory and nursing process 1 case / patient / week

Evaluation Methods:
A trainee’s grade will be determined by the achievement in the following areas:

The grading system will comprise of nine scales: A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D

References :

Amy, K. (2000). Focus on nursing pharmacology. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Bruke, M., Wilkes M.G., & Ingression K. (1996). Cancer chemotherapy: A nursing   
process approach. (2nd ed.). Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Chernecky. C.C., & Berger, B.J. (1998). Advanced and critical care oncology nursing:      Managing primary complication. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Donegan, W. (2002). Cancer of the breast. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.
Groenwald S.L., & et al. (1996). Cancer symptom management. Boston: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers.
Groenwald, S.L., Frogge, M.H., Goodman., M.J., & Yarbro., C.H. (1997).Cancer nursing: Principles and practice. (4th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Jean, P. (1999). Emergency nursing procedures. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.
Marianne, C., Cathie, G., & Barbara, D. (1997). Critical care nursing. Stamford: Appleton
& Lange.
Mitchell L.H., & Marc B.G. (1999). Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base physiology.
Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Montgomery, W.W. (1979). Surgery of the upper respiratory system. (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.
Phipps. J., Sands.J., & Marek.J., (1999).  Medical-surgical nursing. (6th ed.).  St Louis:        Mosby
Smelter.S.,& Bare. B. (2000). Textbook of medical-surgical nursing. (9th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Suasan, G.D. (2001). Nutrition essentials for nursing practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Ziegleld C. (1999). Oncology fact finder: Manual of cancer care. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Journals :

• American Journal of Clinical Oncology
• British Journal of Cancer
• Cancer Nursing
• Cancer Treatment Review
• Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.
• Oncology Nursing Forum
• Gynecologic Cancer
• International Journal of Cancer
• Journal of Advanced Nursing
• Journal of Pain and Palliative Care
• Oncology Nursing Forum